Top tech gadget gifts for coming holidays

With the holidays approaching quickly, it is that time of year again to start shopping for gifts.

At the top of many people’s wish lists this year is technology, and trying to find the perfect gadget for everyone on your list can be a headache.

This year was especially big for tablets, and the de facto standard iPad is no longer the only choice. Tablets from Google and Amazon offer many of the same features the iPad does, but at a lower cost.

If the person you are shopping for is already tied into the Apple ecosystem with an iPhone or iPod Touch, the iPad and iPad mini are great choices starting at $399 and $329, respectively for the 16GB WiFi versions.

If you are looking for a less expensive tablet, the Google Nexus 7 is a great deal at only $199 for the 16GB WiFi version.

When it comes to smartphones, the number of choices have skyrocketed. You not only have to pick an operating system, such as Android or iOS, but you have to pick which device to get as well.

For iOS, the iPhone 5 at $199 is the best choice, though the iPhone 4S at $99 is great for those looking to spend less money.

The Samsung Galaxy S III at $199 is one of the best Android smartphones to get, and the Nokia Lumia 920 for $99 is the best of the Windows phones.

For the gamers on your list, the most popular item this holiday season is the Nintendo Wii U, which starts at $299 for the basic set.

This new game console includes its own tablet and combines HD graphics, motion gaming and popular video services such as Netflix and Amazon Instant Video.

In the portable gaming sector, the Nintendo 3DS XL at $199 offers a unique glasses-free 3D gaming experience with a great library of games already available. For more casual gamers, the new iPod Touch at $299 ties into Apple’s App Store, which has millions of apps and games to download.

For the movie fan in your life, there are a variety of boxes available to stream HD video instantly to the TV from today’s popular video streaming services.

Roku offers a few different boxes, ranging from the $49 Roku LT to the $99 Roku 2 XS. They have a great selection of channels available, with iTunes and YouTube being the only notable exceptions.

If those two services are a must, the Apple TV at $99 is also a great device to have connected to your TV.

With these technology gift ideas, it should be easier to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list. And with online shopping, you may never need to set foot in a store to get all of your holiday shopping done.